AJ Engineering fabricator follows work signature tradition at Forres Tolbooth
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A WORKMAN who installed a new stairway in a historic local building has signed his name at the site following an example from nearly 200 years ago.
Steel stairs have been installed at Forres Tolbooth as part of a project to open up access to the clock tower which will become a new attraction for locals and tourists alike.
General manager of AJ Engineering, Graham Alexander, said: "This has been a fascinating project for our team to work on and we are delighted to be part of the Tolbooth’s legacy and add our mark.
"It is great to be working on something so local but also so historically significant for the town."
When the project started, volunteers removing the old wooden staircase discovered signatures from tradesmen who had worked in the building over the years.
And those involved in the current job thought it was only right that chargehand fabricator, Cliff Robertson - who designed, fabricated and installed the stairway - did the same.
Forres Heritage Trust (FHT) looks after the Tolbooth and Nelson's Tower on behalf of the Forres community.
FHT chairman George Alexander said: "There is an extensive amount of history in the Tolbooth and it seems that every time we start a new project or develop something new, we unearth even more intriguing finds.
"Inside the clock tower there are dozens of signatures, clearly from people who have worked in that area of the building and it was a fitting tribute for Cliff to do the same. Maybe in another 100 years’ time, his signature will be discovered too."
FHT received £9375 from the Town Centre Regeneration Fund towards this part of the project.
It was also recently granted £20,000 from Berry Burn Community Fund to progress the next phase, repairs around the walkway and extensive pointing of the stonework around the clock tower. This is expected to start in the autumn.
